Freedom Forum has been alarmed over the series of threats and arrest of singers in the country of late.
Popular pop singer Astha Raut has been arrested over a minor dispute with a security person at Kathmandu airport. The police had filed a complaint at District Administration Office, Kathmandu, charging her of 'indecent behavior'. With the issuance of arrest warrant for investigation, Raut has been taken in detention today (27 Jan) for four days.
Freedom Forum condemns singer's arrest, as she had already publicly excused via social media over the dispute she had with a security person at airport. Harassing further, the police one-sidedly made public video footage that uncovered her tussle with a security persons at the airport. It was already condemnable that it breached Raut's privacy.
The charge and arrest by the police has come as a revengeful act for singer Raut's criticism of the behavior of public institution.
Executive Chief Taranath Dahal observes, "If the police continue to harass the creative artists in such manner and treat them as in criminal offense over minor dispute, it is gross harassment to an individual by the State. It discourages the FoE practitioners from their right to free expression, thereby creating atmosphere of silence and fear. The criticism of public institution is not crime. Therefore, the highhandedness of police persons must end to protect citizen's rights to free expression, privacy and dignity."
At the same time, FF makes aware the public figure to maintain propriety at public places, so that they could escape harassment and hostility at the hand of intimidating State apparatus.
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Freedom Forum
Thapathali, Kathmandu